Tractor-tread.



JOHiN WILLIAM LAMBERT, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.

TRACTOR-TREAD.

Application led December To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WILLIAM LAM- BERT, a citizen of the United States ofv America, and a resident of Anderson, county of Madison, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tractor-Treads, of which the following is a full and clear specification.

The object of this invention is to simplify and improve the tread structure covered b the Fuller and Lambert Patent No. 1,241,61

dated October 2, 1917,-in which each treadplate carries a pair of transverse links rigidly fastened to the tread-plates transversely of their inner faces in an edgewisely upright position` a series of connecting linkgbeing provided between the tread-plates; and the special object of the present invention isI to provide a more inexpensive and more durable and rigid link arrangement on the tread-plates, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, a designates the flat treadplates on the inner faces of which is formed a pair of transverse depressions b which terminate. short of the longitudinal edges of the plates 1n upwardly-rounded ends c, these depressions being arranged one near each end of the plate. Fitting down in each of these depressions is the lower bar of a link d, this link being set edgewisely upright on the plate and having rounded ends which t against the rounded end c of the depression or groove b.

The top side of the link d is open, at e, so that this link may be conveniently formed by simply bending over and inwardly the edges of the flat bar. Bridging the opening e is metal block f which its between the lower solid bar of the link and the upper split or divided bar of the link, suitable bolts g being employed to clamp the bar or block f rigidly within the link and the link itself to the tread-plate, one of these bolts extending down through each of the. free ends of the top bar of the link, through the intermediate block f, the bottom bar of the link, and the tread-plate. The ends of the rigid link e terminate approximately at either of the longitudinal edges of the tread-plate, and the adjacent links are pivotally connected together by horizontally arranged links k, the ends of the filler-bars f serving as abutments for the cross-bars z' of these links la, so as to thereby properly space the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 7, `191 9. 11, 1917. serial no. 206,599.

each ofthe plates, at a point midway b etween the ends thereof, is provided a sprocket-tooth j. a

It will bey understood that the slot b may be omitted, so that the link d will lie directly on the surface of the tread-plate, and it will also be understood that separable or sectional links may be employed in place of the solid links h. It will be seen also ,that the construction is such that I am enabled to use a very large sprocket tooth j, so as to render A tread-plates with respect to each other. On A this tread appliance adapted for use on rolli ers or wheels of a large diameter, thereby materially reducing the pressure and strain on the sprocket devices. It will be observed further that a feature of importance lies in the fact that the tread may be separated at any one of the jointslbetween the tread- ,plates bv simply removing the spacing block f and then slipping the adjacent end of the linkh out through the Opening e, thereby rendering a pair of these tread appliances very easily made at any point in its length. It will be seen also that two. pairs of these appliances are further provided for making hel'tread plates quickly detachable from the The nature and scope of the invention having been thus indicated and its preferred embodiment having been specifically described, what is claimed as new is:

1. .A tractor tread comprising a series of plates each of which is provided with a sprocket-tooth 'as well as a pair of transverse grooves on its inner face, a link having its lower bar fitted in each of sai-d grooves, means for rigidlyj fastening said link edge- 'wisely upright on the tread-plate, and connecting links. i

2. In a tractor tread, a series of tractor tread-plates'each provided with a sprockettooth and also `with a` pair of transverse grooves in its inner face`,va link having its lower bar fitted in eac-h ofisaid grooves, the

top bar of the link 'being divided, a iillerthese links having anl opening at one side ted Within each link blocking said opening, 10 about midway its length, and connecting bolts extending down through the free end links between the aforesaid links. of the top 'bar of the link, the intermediate 4. In a tractor tread, a series of tractor filler-block, the lower bar of the link and 5 treadplates each provided with a sprocket thetread-plate, and connecting links.

tooth, a pair of links each havingits lower In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my 15 bar removably fastened to the face of each signature. l

' of said plates, the top bar of each link beingprovided with an opening` afiller-'blook it- JOHN WILLIAM LAMBERT. 

